Trustees to consider liquor license for Stella’s after debate over second gaming venue

Village trustees voted to place on a future agenda a class A liquor-license application for Stella’s, a proposed gaming-focused venue under the same ownership as Dottie’s.

Administrator Soderholm introduced the application and owner representative Bob Kunke answered questions about the proposal. Kunke said he had a five-year lease on the table and that “one reason was to position themselves in the market should one of their leases go away.” He also argued that “the businesses bring entertainment to the community, which in turn increases foot traffic and potential spending around the Village.”

Several trustees pushed back. Trustee Devin Hester asked why the owners were proposing two similar establishments within walking distance. Trustee Steve Knar said he did not support the current proposal and asked for more information on how Stella’s would tangibly benefit the Village. Trustee Andrew Migdal said he believed Dottie’s had not delivered the “country kitchen” dining originally described when it sought its license and that he did not support approving a second location that would be “95% gaming.”

Village President Marc McLaughlin noted the property under consideration — the former Sport Clips space — has been vacant since 2019 and urged trustees to weigh the types of businesses appropriate for that location. The board’s general consensus was to place the application on an upcoming agenda and to direct staff to provide comparative gaming-revenue data from similar establishments for review before a final decision.

The board did not vote to approve the license at the Aug. 1 meeting; a formal vote will occur if and when the item appears on a future agenda.